Katy Knoll Bio
Katelyn Joyce Knoll, known professionally as Katy Knoll, is an American professional ice hockey forward. Born on January 16, 2001, in Amherst, New York, she has built her career as a reliable scorer and playmaker across collegiate, professional, and international levels. She is recognized for her time with the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and for representing the United States in youth international competition.
Knoll played college ice hockey at Northeastern University, where she developed into a consistent offensive contributor. She later transitioned to the PWHL, where she contributed to a championship run and continued to grow her professional profile.
Early Life and Background
Katelyn Joyce Knoll was born on January 16, 2001, in Amherst, New York, to her parents Dan and Sue Knoll. She grew up alongside a brother, Dan, and a sister, Kristen, in a supportive family environment that encouraged her athletic development. Her upbringing in the Buffalo, New York area provided early access to competitive youth sports and a strong regional hockey community.
Knoll attended Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, where she played ice hockey, tennis, and golf. Her versatility across multiple sports highlighted her athletic foundation and competitive drive. In 2017, she was named the Buffalo News Prep Talk Player of the Year, an award that recognized her as one of the top high school athletes in the region.
Path to Hockey
Knoll’s path to collegiate hockey began with her standout play at Nichols School, where she established herself as a leading talent in western New York. Her selection as the Buffalo News Prep Talk Player of the Year in 2017 drew attention from collegiate recruiters and positioned her for a smooth transition to NCAA competition.
She committed to Northeastern University, joining a program with a strong tradition in women’s ice hockey. The move from high school athletics in Buffalo to Division I college hockey marked a significant step in her development as a forward.
Katy Knoll Career
College Career at Northeastern (2019–2024)
Katelyn Joyce Knoll began her collegiate hockey career at Northeastern during the 2019–20 season. In her freshman year, she recorded ten goals and 16 assists in 38 games, leading all Huskies rookies with 26 points. Her immediate impact signaled her potential as a future professional prospect.
During the 2020–21 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Knoll recorded 12 goals and ten assists in 25 games as a sophomore. In her junior year (2021–22), she posted ten goals and 11 assists in 37 games. As a senior in 2022–23, she elevated her production with 18 goals and 16 assists in 38 games. During her graduate student year in 2023–24, she added 11 goals and 17 assists in 39 games. She finished her collegiate career with 61 goals and 70 assists in 177 games.
Professional Career with the Minnesota Frost (2024–2026)
On June 10, 2024, Knoll was drafted in the seventh round, 39th overall, by PWHL Minnesota in the 2024 PWHL Draft. In November 2024, following pre-season mini camp, she signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Frost. During the 2024–25 regular season, she recorded one goal and one assist in 21 games.
Her postseason performance elevated her profile. During the 2025 PWHL playoffs, she recorded two goals and three assists in eight games. In game three of the 2025 PWHL Finals against the Ottawa Charge, she scored the game-winning goal in triple-overtime, helping put the Frost one win away from their second consecutive Walter Cup. On June 27, 2025, she signed a one-year contract extension with the Frost. During the 2025–26 regular season, she recorded seven goals and two assists in 30 games and added one goal in five games during the 2026 Walter Cup playoffs.
PWHL Las Vegas (2026–Present)
During the league’s expansion to 12 teams ahead of the 2026–27 season, Knoll signed a two-year contract with PWHL Las Vegas on June 15, 2026. The move marked a new chapter in her professional career as the PWHL expanded its footprint across North America.
International Play
Knoll represented the United States at the 2018 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, where she recorded two goals in five games and won a gold medal. She returned to the U.S. team for the 2019 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, recording three goals and two assists in five games and winning a silver medal. Her international experience at the youth level helped shape her development as a two-way forward.
Katy Knoll Family
Family Background
Katelyn Joyce Knoll was born to Dan and Sue Knoll. She has a brother, Dan, and a sister, Kristen, and her family supported her athletic development from a young age. Her upbringing in the Amherst and Buffalo, New York area played a formative role in her introduction to competitive sports.
Personal Life
Knoll has maintained a relatively private personal life, focusing publicly on her professional hockey career. She is recognized by fans and teammates as a dedicated competitor who continues to build her legacy in women’s professional hockey.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 PWHL season, Katy Knoll recorded one goal and one assist in 21 regular season games with the Minnesota Frost. Her regular season production was modest, but she elevated her play in the postseason. During the 2025 PWHL playoffs, she recorded two goals and three assists in eight games, becoming a key contributor in the Frost’s championship run.
The defining moment of her 2025 campaign came in game three of the 2025 PWHL Finals against the Ottawa Charge, when she scored the game-winning goal in triple-overtime to put the Frost one win away from their second consecutive Walter Cup. The performance demonstrated her ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and established her as a clutch performer for Minnesota.
